2015 Arizona Wildcats football team


The 2015 Arizona Wildcats football team represented the University of Arizona in the 2015 NCAA Division I FBS football season. It marked the Wildcats's 116th overall season, 38th as a member of the Pac-12 Conference and its 5th within the Pac-12 South Division. The team was led by head coach Rich Rodriguez, in his fourth year, and played its home games at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, AZ for the 87th straight year. They finished the season 7–6, 3–6 in Pac-12 play to finish in fifth place in the South Division. They were invited to the New Mexico Bowl where they defeated New Mexico.

Before the season

Previous season

Led by Rich Rodriguez in his third year as head coach, the Arizona Wildcats finished the 2014 regular season with a 10–4 record, marking the second time the program had ten wins in a season. They won the Pac-12 South Division for the first time in school history, thereby advancing to the Wildcats' first Pac-12 Football Championship Game, where they faced the Oregon Ducks at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California before losing 51–13. The Wildcats played in one of the New Year's Six bowls in the first year of the College Football Playoff with a berth in the 2014 Fiesta Bowl, the school's third major bowl appearance, where they faced the Boise State Broncos, losing 38–30.

Recruiting class

The Wildcats would go on to land another top 10 recruiting class in 2015.
The Wildcats would also add two transfer players: graduate student David Catalano from San José State who is able to play immediately, as well as John Kenny from Iowa who sit out two years to satisfy the NCAA's transfer rule.

Early Enrollees

Returning starters

Returning players that started all or a significant number of games in the 2014 season. Arizona returns 30 starters.
Offense
PlayerClassPosition
Anu Solomon rsSOQB
Nick Wilson S0RB
Cayleb Jones rsJRWR
Tyrell Johnson SOWR
David Richards rsSRWR
Trey Griffey rsJRWR
Nate Phillips JRWR
Samajie Grant JRWR
Layth Friekh SOOL
Cayman Bundage SROL
Carter Wood †SROL
T.D. Gross rsJROL
Jacob Alsadek rsSOOL
Lene Maiva rsJROL
Freddie Tagaloa rsJROL

Defense
PlayerClassPosition
Tellas Jones rsJRS
Cam Denson SOCB
Jamar Allah SRS
Reggie Gilbert rsSRDB
Will Parks SRS
Devin Holiday JRCB
DaVonte' Neal JRCB
Anthony Lopez SRS
Jarvis McCall Jr. rsSOCB
Scooby Wright III JRLB
Derrick Turituri JRLB
Jake Matthews JRLB
Jeff Worthy rsSRDL
Cody Ippolito †rsJRLB
Parker Zellers rsSODL
Calvin Allen rsSODL

Special teams
PlayerClassPosition
Casey Skoworon SRK
Drew Riggleman SRP

† Indicates player was a starter in 2014 but missed all of 2015 due to injury and Carter Wood will end of his career of the season due to injury.

Departures

The Wildcats would lose 20 seniors to graduation as well as no juniors who would choose to forgo their senior season in pursuit of an earlier NFL career. The Wildcats would lose five more players from the 2014 team due to various reasons.
NamePositionYearReason
Austin HillWRrsSRGraduation/NFL
Blair TushausTErsSRGraduation
Jared TevisSrsSRGraduation
Adonis SmithRBrsSRGraduation
Jesse ScrogginsQBrsSRGraduation
Jonathan McKnightCBrsSRGraduation
Dan PettinatoDLrsSRGraduation
Brendan MurphyCBrsSRGraduation
Ethan KeyserlingPK/PrsSRGraduation
Terris Jones-GrigsbyRBrsSRGraduation
Jourdon GrandonFSrsSRGraduation
Mickey BacusCSRGraduation/NFL
Blake BradySrsSRGraduation
Fabbians EbbeleOLrsSRGraduation
Chase GorhamLSSRGraduation
Hank HobsonLBSRGraduation
Tra'Mayne BondurantSSRGraduation
Carter WoodOLrsSRGraduation
Yamen SandersSSOTransferred to Montana
Timmy HamiltonDEJRTransferred to Kansas
Trevor ErmischSSRGraduation
Steven GurrolaOLSRGraduation
Jordan PolandOLrsFRTransferred to Arizona Western CC
Connor BrewerQBrsSOTransferred to NAU and then to Virginia
Kaelin DeboskieWRrsFRTransferred

Transfers

Winter/Spring 2015 "way-too-early" pre-season rankings from most major sports news outlets, issued after the end of the 2014 season tabbed the 2015 Arizona Wildcats at #13, #14, #17, and #13.

Fall Camp

In July, the defending Pac-12 South champions Arizona Wildcats were picked to finish at fourth place in the Pac-12 preseason polls. Arizona was ranked #22 in both the preseason Amway Coaches Poll and the preseason AP Poll., with the first practice scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 5. Camp practices are generally closed to the media and public, unless otherwise announced.

Depth chart

Depth Chart Source: 2015 Arizona Wildcats Football Fact Book

Personnel

Coaching staff

Coaching Staff Sources: ArizonaWildcats.com

Roster

Regular season

Schedule

The 2015 Pac-12 schedule was officially released on September 16, 2014. On April 10, 2015, the Wildcats will play the White and Navy Blue game, the program's annual spring game. Arizona Wildcats will play four of nine games, against all four North Division schools: Oregon State, Stanford, Washington and Washington State. They will also play against five South Division opponents: Arizona State, Colorado, USC, UCLA and Utah. For their non-conference slate the Wildcats will play two of three games against UTSA of the Conference USA, Nevada of the Mountain West Conference and Northern Arizona of the FCS' Big Sky Conference. For the first year, the Cats face neither California and Oregon. The Wildcats will play all twelve games without a bye week for first time ever.
The Wildcats opened the 2015 season with a non-conference trip to Reno, Nevada, to face Nevada, its is the first since 1921, and is the return game in a home-and-home series that brought the Wolf Pack to Tucson in 2014. In other non-conference action, Arizona hosted in-state foe: Northern Arizona.

Game summaries

vs UTSA Roadrunners

Overall recordLast meetingResult
2-02014ARI, 26-23

To open up the season, Arizona will host UTSA for its first nonconference game and first home opener of the 2015 season at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, AZ. Last season, Arizona won the previous meeting, 26–23 at Alamodome in San Antonio, TX. Arizona lead the all-time series with 2–0.

@ Nevada Wolf Pack

Overall recordLast meetingResult
3-1-12014ARI, 35-28

Following its game against UTSA, Arizona will host Nevada for its first true road non-conference game at Mackay Stadium in Reno, NV. Last season. Arizona won the previous meeting, 35–28 at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, AZ. Arizona lead the all-time series with 3–1–1.

vs Northern Arizona Lumberjacks

Overall recordLast meetingResult
12-12013ARI, 35-0

Following its game against Nevada, will close out the third non-conference game of the 2015 season and second home game, Arizona will host NAU for the fourteenth time. In 2013, Arizona won the previous meeting, 35–0 at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, AZ. Arizona lead the all-time series 12–1.

vs #9 UCLA Bruins

Overall recordLast meetingResult
15-22-22014UCLA, 7-17

At Arizona Stadium, Tucson
After its final non-conference game against NAU, Arizona will begin the Pac-12 portion of its schedule against UCLA at first home conference game of the 2015 season.
In a Pac-12 South showdown that prompted College GameDay to pay its second visit to the University of Arizona campus for the first time since 2009. The Fans and the Arizona Wildcats players all wore red with the intent to "Red Out UCLA".
Last season, UCLA won the previous meeting, 17–7 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA. UCLA lead the all-time series 22–15–2.

@ Stanford Cardinal

Overall recordLast meetingResult
Tied at 14-142012STAN, 48-54 OT

Following its game against UCLA, Arizona will host the Stanford on the first road conference game of the 2015 season. In 2012, Stanford won the previous meeting 54–48 in OT at Stanford Stadium in Stanford, CA. Two school programs tied the all-time series with 14-14.

vs Oregon State Beavers

Overall recordLast meetingResult
21-142012OSU, 35-38

Following its game against Stanford, Arizona will host the Oregon State at home. In 2012, Oregon State won the previous meeting, 38–35 at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, AZ. Arizona lead the all-time series 21-14-1.

@ Colorado Buffaloes

Overall recordLast meetingResult
4-132014ARI, 38-20

Following its game against Oregon State, Arizona will host the Colorado on the road at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO. Last season, Arizona won the previous meeting 38–20 at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, AZ. Colorado lead all-time series 13-4.

vs Washington State Cougars

Overall recordLast meetingResult
26-14-12014ARI, 59-27

Following its game against Colorado, Arizona will host the Washington State at home for the Homecoming game. Arizona won the previous meeting, 59–27 at Martin Stadium in Pullman, WA. Arizona lead the all-time series 26-14-1.

@ Washington Huskies ([Halloween])

Overall recordLast meetingResult
11-192014ARI, 27-26

Following its game against Washington State, Arizona will host the Washington on the road at Husky Stadium in Seattle, WA. Last season, Arizona won the previous meeting 27–26 in a game-winning field goal attempt at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, AZ. Washington lead all-time series 19-11-1.

@ USC Trojans

Overall recordLast meetingResult
8-302014USC, 26-28

Following its game against Washington, Arizona will host the USC on the road at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. Last season, USC won the previous meeting 28–26 at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, AZ. USC lead all-time series 30-8.

vs Utah Utes

Overall recordLast meetingResult
18-20-22014ARI, 42-10

Following its game against USC, Arizona will play its final home conference game of the 2015 season against Utah. Last season, Arizona won the previous meeting by a score of 42–10 at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, UT. Utah lead the all-time series 20–18–2.

@ Arizona State Sun Devils - Territorial Cup

Overall recordLast meetingResult
48-39-12014ARI, 42-35

Following its home finale against Utah, Arizona will face Arizona State in the 116th meeting of "The Territorial Cup" on a road finale. Arizona won the previous meeting and clinch the 2014 Pac-12 South title, 42-35 at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, AZ. Arizona lead the all-time series 48–39–1.

vs New Mexico Lobos - New Mexico Bowl

Overall recordLast meetingResult
43-20-32008UNM, 36-28

Following its road finale against Arizona State, Arizona will face New Mexico in the New Mexico Bowl on a 2015 season finale. Arizona won the previous meeting, 20-14 at Tucson in 1997 and loss the previous meeting, 36-28 at University Stadium in Albuquerque, NM in 2008. Arizona lead the all-time series 43-20–3.

Rankings

Statistics

Team

As of 09/04/2015.
Non-conference opponents
Pac-12 opponents
Score total by Quarters

Offense

Defense

Key: POS: Position, SOLO: Solo Tackles, AST: Assisted Tackles, TOT: Total Tackles, TFL: Tackles-for-loss, SACK: Quarterback Sacks, INT: Interceptions, BU: Passes Broken Up, PD: Passes Defended, QBH: Quarterback Hits, FF: Forced Fumbles, FR: Fumbles Recovered, BLK: Kicks or Punts Blocked, SAF: Safeties

Special teams

Awards and honors

Preseason awards

Preseason All-Americans

Arizona had nine players selected as Preseason All-Americans going into the season. Anu Solomon was largely recognized on the second team of those organizations which published preseason lists. Cayleb Jones and Scooby Wright III were recognized as unanimous Preseason All-Americans, with Jones being selected to the first team of every publication.

;Drew Riggleman
;Scooby Wright III
  • Bleacher Report's 2015 College Football Preseason All-American Team
  • USA Today Preseason First Team All-American
  • CBS Sports Preseason First Team All-American
  • ESPN Preseason First Team All-American
  • Phil Steele Preseason First Team All-American
  • SI Preseason First Team All-American
  • Athlon Preseason First Team All-American
  • USA Today Preseason Team All-American
  • CFN Preseason First Team All-American
  • Scout.com Preseason First Team All-American
  • Lindys Preseason First Team All-American
  • Preseason All-Pac-12
;Will Parks
  • Athlon Preseason First Team All-American
  • Phil Steele Preseason First Team All-American
;Davonte' Neal
  • Athlon Preseason First Team All-American
  • Phil Steele Preseason First Team All-American
 ;Reggie Gilbert
  • Athlon Preseason First Team All-American
  • Phil Steele Preseason First Team
;Freddie Tagaloa
  • Athlon Preseason First Team All-American
;Nick Wilson
  • Athlon Preseason First Team All-American
  • Phil Steele Preseason First Team All-American
;Cayleb Jones
  • Athlon Preseason First Team All-American
  • Phil Steele Preseason First Team All-American
  • Preseason All-Pac-12
;Anu Solomon
  • CBS Sports Preseason First Team All-American
  • ESPN Preseason First Team All-American
  • Phil Steele Preseason First Team All-American
  • SI Preseason First Team All-American
  • Athlon Preseason First Team All-American
  • USA Today Preseason Team All-American
  • CFN Preseason First Team All-American

Award watch lists

Conference awards

Award semifinalists

Players
; Week 1
; Week 2
; Week 3
; Week 6
; Week 7
; Week 11
; Week 12
; * Week 13
N/A
; * Week 14
N/A
Each year several publications release lists of their ideal "team". The athletes on these lists are referred to as All-Americans. The NCAA recognizes five All-American lists. They are the Associated Press, American Football Coaches Association, Football Writers Association of America, Sporting News, and the Walter Camp Football Foundation. If a player is selected to the first team of three publications he is considered a consensus All-American, if a player is selected to the first team of all five publications he is considered a unanimous All-American.
Key:

First team

Consensus All-American

Unanimous All-American

Pac-12 All-Conference team

The Wildcats had TBA players honored as members of the 2015 Pac-12 All-Conference team, with TBA each on the first and second teams, respectively. TBA other Wildcats earned honorable mention honors.

NCAA Academic All-Americans

Pac-12 Conference All-Academic players

The Wildcats had TBA players selected to the Pac-12 Conference All-Academic Second Team, TBA players granted honorable mention and no players selected to the First Team. In order to be eligible for the academic team a player must maintain a minimum 3.0 overall grade-point average and play in at least 50 percent of their team's games.

NFL Draft

The following members of 2015 Arizona Wildcats football team were selected in the 2016 NFL Draft.
PlayerPositionRoundPickTeam
Scooby Wright IIILB
Cayleb JonesWR

NFL Scouting Combine

TBA members of the 2015 team were invited to participate in drills at the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine.
† Top performer

Media affiliates

Radio